On Location with 'The Sundowners' Page #7

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- We're depending on you.

- I don't want nobody depending on me.

- You better get somebody else.

- Stone the crows.

You heard us make the plans

last night. You didn't stop us.

I was drunk last night.

I ain't gonna split a gut just so I can say

I'm faster than some other bloke.

That dirty dingo.

A man ought to knock his head off.

He could have his reasons.

Oh, blast his reasons.

He's backing out like a yellow dog.

How we gonna look, going over

to Mulgrue's, telling him it's all off?

Oh, maybe we're better off this way.

A dingo like that, he'd probably throw

his hand in halfway through the contest.

Dad just told the men

he wouldn't be in the contest...

...after letting them set it up

for next Saturday.

He wants us to leave next Saturday.

Then how will we ever

get enough money for a place?

He doesn't care about a place.

He's going

whether we go with him or not...

...and that's how strong

he feels about it, Sean.

- But we never split up before.

- And we're not gonna split up now.

I'm gonna stay, Mum.

And I think you ought to stay too.

Sean, you've got your whole life to live.

We're halfway through ours,

your dad and me.

There are other people waiting for you...

...but there's no one waiting for us

except each other.

Don't ever ask me to choose

between you and your dad...

...because I'll choose him every time.

Good day.

Mum says you're leaving Saturday.

I got me own reasons, Sean.

You're too young to understand.

I get sick of being told I'm too young,

like it's a disease or something.

I told Rupe there'd be no sense

talking to you.

What right have you got

going over our business with him?

He was sticking up for you. He didn't

think you were a dingo, like Clint said.

I'll fix that Clint later.

The minute you turn your back,

people go around talking about you.

There's not one of them game enough

to say it to me face.

I think you're a dingo

for running out on Mum and me.

Don't hit me, Dad, or you can leave

and I'll never come after you.

Don't ever talk like that

to me again, Sean.

I might have killed you.

You're not gonna leave, are you, Dad?

Please don't.

- Hey, Paddy, can we see you?

- Just a minute.

It's the men. All of them, Dad.

I know, Sean. I feel crook about it, but-

Well, they just can't back down.

If there was only some way...

Yeah?

We have a new plan, Carmody.

- What plan?

- A plan for the competition.

We want the Mulgrues to see that

we have a man in whom we're proud.

Cut it out, will you?

But the main object is to raise money

for a worthy cause.

Christening present for Bluey's baby.

Well, crikey. Why didn't you say so?

I didn't know it was anything like that.

Doesn't mean we can't bet on the side.

We can still make a pile of money.

As long as Bluey's nipper

gets a big piece of it...

...I'll be only too happy to give it a go.

You beaut, Dad.

Hey, let us in on the secret.

It's the shearing contest.

It's all set up for next Saturday.

Well, now.

I come over to give you all an invite

to a party in honor of Bluey's baby.

But it seems to me as though

he's gonna have to share it...

...with Paddy, the people's choice.

Right-o, boys. Next Sunday at the pub,

beer, saveloys and sausage rolls.

Come on, Rupe. Walk me to the car.

How does that bloke do it?

Ide, I was thinking...

...since I have to stay here

for the contest anyway...

...might as well stay

to the end of the season.

Well, how about a cuppa?

You haven't had a bite all day, have you?

T oo right.

- You hungry?

- No, I'll have an earbash with the boys.

See you later.

Carmody, there isn't a living soul

in Wattle Run who hasn't bet on you.

Even a couple sheep have been trying

to get a word with me.

I just hope this Mulgrue mob's

brought enough money.

I'm not guaranteeing anything.

None of that. No modesty.

It's confidence gonna win the day.

It is? Well, that's good.

I was afraid it was gonna be me.

Hey, here comes the Mulgrue mob.

Johnson. Are you the challenger?

I don't know why they picked me,

I'm the worst man we got.

I ain't counting any chickens, Herb.

Don't rush it, Carmody.

Just keep a nice, steady pace.

Two hundred and ninety

should be enough to win.

I've heard bull in me time,

but that takes some beating.

Well, if you're gonna do it, let's do it.

You're here, stand number four.

Here, Wilson.

Keep your eye on those, will you?

You gonna unscrew your wooden leg?

No, we don't want

to embarrass the champ.

They must be off their rockers,

that Mulgrue bunch.

- He's 80 if he's a day.

- Paddy'll make a monkey out of him.

I wouldn't wanna show him up,

anything like that. It wouldn't be right.

Hey, Clint, lay a fiver for me, will you?

- You're on, mate.

- Just win, Dad.

We got a quid on you,

Mum and me. Good luck.

The contestants will work

in two-hour stretches...

...with five-minute rests

and one hour for a meal.

The score will be kept jointly

by our Mr. Quinlan...

...and Mr. Wilson of Mulgrue's.

May the best man win.

- Stand by.

- Come on. Hey.

Go for your quota, Paddy.

You won't get any compo

if you collapse, Herbie.

That little runt couldn't bag a hussy.

Work from the hip, Carmody.

Now, easy follow-through.

Follow through with that instrument,

come on.

- How does he look?

- Fresh as a babe.

You've been flat out like a lizard drinking,

but he's been with you all the way.

It's shocking.

That cove ain't human.

Try not to show him that you're nervous.

In fact, it might be good psychology

if you could manage a hearty laugh.

You laugh.

I can't think of anything funny.

- We could tickle you.

- Don't worry, Dad. He can't keep it up.

- That ain't what I'm worried about.

- Paddy, his legs'll give out.

- You got a long way to go yet.

- That's what I'm worried about.

Stand by.

Break for lunch.

That little old weasel.

- What I'd give to have money on him.

- Ocker!

Do you practice being a louse

or does it just come natural?

Dad, you've got an hour.

- Go and lie down. I'll bring your-

- No, he mustn't.

It'd give Johnson

an immense psychological advantage...

...to know that

Paddy's lying flat on his back.

He hasn't even come outside.

Has it occurred to you that he may be

too exhausted even to reach the door?

I'm gonna go lie down in the tent.

- Paddy-

- Rupe.

We may be neck and neck

in the shearing...

...but psychologically,

he's got me licked.

- Ten for Johnny Sanford.

- Ten for Johnny Sanford.

- Two for Willis Jacobs.

- Right, two for Jacobs.

Ten for Costello. Four for Pierce.

All right, four for Pierce.

And a tenner for you, Wilson.

Do you want that now, Wilson?

Bluey.

I'm sorry I didn't win

for your little nipper, Bluey.

Don't worry about it, Paddy.

You did your best.

And three for Sandy Sanderson,

and that's the lot.

Well, good day. I've enjoyed meself.

Thanks for asking us.

Poor Dad.

Just when he was feeling cheerful.

He'll stay cheerful,

once we're on the move again.

- Sean, remember that farm in Bulinga?

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